Water-heater.



WATER HEATER.

Patented Feb. 18, 1919.

3SHEETS-SHEET 1.

H01 W/ITER 0111151 ENVCNTOH ZZLAQKMA/ WW 1M Mcw ATTORNEYS C. A. BACKSTROM. DECD.

M. A. BACKSTPOM, ADMINISTRATRlX.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 15. 1917. 1,294,376.

N M, Rm 1 I 1 A w w 5 LEW q: m 1 fi F 6 L a 5 WlTNESS C. A. BACKSTROM. DECD.

m. A. BACKSTROM, ADMINISTRATRIX.

WATER HEATER APPLICATION FILED MAY 15. 19!?- 1,294,376.

Patented Feb. 8, 1919.

WITNESS INVENTOR. v a; Y

1 q A? 7 1| dim ATTORNEYS.

C. A BACKSTROM. DECD.

M. A. BACKSTROM, ADMINISTRATRIX.

WAIER HEATER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 15. ISIZ.

3 SHEETS-SPIRIT 3.

WITNESS INVENTOB.

Patented Feb. 18, 1919.

PTENT CHARLES A. BACKfiTROM, 0F GRAFTON, PEENSYLVAFIA;

MARTHA A. BACKSTROKE,

, ADMINISTRATRIX OF SAID CI-IABLES A. BACKSTRGM, BECEASEI), ASSXGNQR Tl.)

PITTSBURG WATER HEATERLCOMTPANY, 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A (101%,-

HATER-HEATER.

Application filed May 15, 1917.

To all whom may concern:

Be it known that I QHARLES A. BACK- sTRoM, a citizen of the -United States, Tosiding at Grafton, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have mventetl certain new and useful Improven'i'ents in Watcr-Heaters, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to water heaters and particul al y to storage heaters, although not limited .0 such type of heaters. It has for its primary objects the provisionoif aheater of greater economy than those heretofore constructed; the provision of a heater in which there is no repeated. heating and cooling of the body of Water in the heater during relatively long periods of disuse (as for instance, during the night) such as is the case with the ordinary storage heater having thermostatic control; the provision of a heater having increased economy in that the gas may be turned on full by merely opening one of the hot Water faucets after which the faucet can be closed until the water reaches the desired temperature, thus avoiding the Waste of partially heated Water such.

as occurs with the ordinary instantaneous water (valve) heater, in which the faucetmust he kept open till. the Water reaches the desired temperature; the provision of a dual control heat-er in which the Water valve or water motor causes the opening of the gas valve, out not the closing thereof and in which the thermostat causes the closing of the gas valve but not the opening thereof; and in general the nrovision of a simplified and improved control particularly adapted to storage heaters and having the advantages of both the thermostatic and Water valve or motor controls, Without the disadvantages incident to the usual combined or individual uses of such controls. One embodiment of the invention is illustratecl in the accompanying drawings, Wherein- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic 'view showing certain of the parts somewhat out of their.

actual position in order to clearly illustrate all of the parts in a single view; Fig. 2 is aside elevation showing the parts in essembled relation as actually used; Fig. 3 is an enlarged section through the casing of the thermostatic mechanism; Fig. 4- is an en largecl section through the casing of Specification of Letters Eatcnt the Fatenteoli Feb 115, Serial No. more? Water valve or Water motor; and. F1 5 is 9; 10 is the pilot burner supplied from pipe 11; 12 is the cold Waier inlet to tank, such inlet having branch 13 leading to a casing 1i surrounding the ezipansion element of. the thermostat, :lor a purpose to be later explained; 15 is a casing surro' ing a part or the thermostatic mechanism; is is the casing of the Water valve or motor through which the by-pass 1?, 17", from the tank leads; 18 is the hotv water outlet pip ancllS), 0, and are suppieme pipes employed in controll the k from the thermostatic mechanism nliii water valve or vval r motor.

All this point 1 may he stateri that arrangement which will now he dcscrilis such that the gas valve is controlled h from the thermostat and valve and that this control is exersiscrl I n'ieaus of pressure from the main. Al that the arrangement is such that the opening of a faucet in the hot water outlet serves to open the zasvalve, but that the closing or such. faucet does not cause tlc closure of causes the closing of the gas valve vvhe temperature of the water rcac' termined point, but that such does not ause the opening tie g when the temperature of Weir heater is reduced. it follows from Lille rangeinent that ii n Water is draw; from the heater for a long period there no of gas. since (luring this perio l, aside from the small amount used at pilot burner, is not turned on. it aisc fol lows that in order to open the valve and start the heating of the Water, all is necessam is the opening of one of the hot water faucets, after "which such acct may i he closed, the thermostat acting to outer ferred form, a diaphragm gas valve is used,

which valve will close when the gas pressure on the two sides thereof is the seme. When a hot water faucet is opened the water motor acts to release the gas pressure on the closing side of the diaphragm so that is supplied in the burners of the heater.

l l hen the temperature of the water in one heater reaches the point for which the ther- 6f the gas supply.

ring (Fig. 1).

mostai; is set, the iherniostat acts to re-admit pressure to the closing side of the diaphragm, thus causing the cutting oil lnthis way the water valve is made to cause the opening of the gas valve but nos'ilie closing t ereof, and the thermostat is made to cause the closing of the gas valve but not the opening thereof. The following description oi'the gas valve, thermostatic mechanism and water valve or motor, will make clear the manner in which the foregoing operation is carried out.

p The gas valve is shown in 5, and comprises the casing 5 made in two pieces be tween which pieces is clamped the diaphragm 22 preferably of fibrous material and carrying on its upper side a liquid23, which liquid gives the necessary weight for closing the valve when. the g spressures on the opposite sides of the diaphragm zire equal. lV'hen such pressures are equal the diaparagm occupies the position shown in Fig. at which time it rests upon the scarf '24 and cuts ofi communication between the inlet pipe 8 and the pipe 9 leading to the burner The pressure on the lower side of the diaphragm is constant, but that on the upper side is varied through the control oi the thermostat and water motor, as hereinafter set fort-l1, the release of the pressure on the upper side of the diaphragm or the increase in such pressure, being accomplished through the pipe 20 whose ends lead to the thermostatic mechanism and the water motor.

The water motor or water valve, as it is commonly known in the art, is illustrated in Fig. 4. It comprises a piston working in f he casinglG and having a port 26 through its central portion, such port being normally closed by the check member 27 held yieldmgly in forward position by means of the spring 28. Thiswater Valve involves cer tain novel features in the matter of detail but no claim is made thereto in this application. The actuating water is admitted to the casing through th'e inlet 1.7 on the rear side of the piston 25 and flows from the casmg through the pipe 17 leading from the front side of the piston, so that whenever a faucet 1n the piping connecting to the outnear-mas spring 29 which forcesthe block 30 carried by the piston rod 31 to the right, and idle block 30 carries an adjustable screw 32 which adapted to engage the stem 33 of the reand permitting water to pass.

lcase valve 34. The release valve 34 is normally held closed by the spring 35 so that the outlet from the pipe 20 is closed when the parts occupy the position indicated in Fig. 4:.

The opening of the outlet from the healer and the consequent movement of the piston to the left, causes the movement of the valvefii to the left and release in pressure in the pipe 20. or the chamber carrying the spring 35. such release occurring through the opening 36 along the valve stem 33. Since the pipe :20 leadsto the upper side of the diaphragm 22 the openingof the outlet from the heater and the consequent openin movement of the valve 34:, as just described will release the pressure above the diaphragm and the diaphragm will rise, permitting a flow of gas from themain 8 to the burner ring.

The thermostatic mechanism is illustrated in Fig. 3 and includes the expansible tube 37 carried by the block 38 which is screwed into l'lie shell of the tank. The inner end of this tube has secured therein the plug 39 against which the inner end of the porcelain rod 39 bears, illustrated. in the other or lefthand end of the tube the metal block 40 is slidably niounied, such block carrying the pin 41. The contraction of the tube 37, when. the water cools, carries the porcelain rod 39 and the pin ll to the left, while the expansion of the Lube 37 incident to the rise in temperature of the heater water, permits the spring; 42 acting with the spring 43, to I cause'the movement ol the block 40 and pin ll carried therclov to the right. A series of lhrce levers, 4'1 45, and i6 are'carried by the cage 47. the lever H being pivoted at 48 to the cage and the lever 4.6 being pivoted to the cage at 49, while the link 4-5 is pivotally connected to the levers ii and 46 at- 50 and 51. The cage 47 which carries the levers, fits info the manifold 38 at itsright-hand end. while at its left-hand end it is secured to the adjusting plug- 52 by means of the bolt the plug being locked in position by the nut 54 and the bolt by the nut 55. over which extends the cap 56. The details of the thermostat are immaterial in so far as the prcscnf invention is concerned.

Mounted in i'lic lower side of the casing 15 is the valve :37. such valve being normally held closed by the spring 58 hearing against the head .39 on the stem (30. The opening 61 permits a flow of pressure past the valve nee-1 when the valve is moved down from the position illustrated. Fluid pressure is supplied to the casing 15 through the pipe 1%) (F l) andwhen the valve 5! is in open position, such pressure is communicated through the pipes 21 and 20 to the, upper side of the gas valve diaphragm. The valve 5'6 is opened to permit the flow of fluid just re ferred to when the temperature of the Water in the heater rises above a predetermined point. At such time the tube 3? expands permitting the pin 41 to move to the right under the influence of the spring 42, and the spring 43 causes the downward movement of the righthand end of the lever -16, thus opening the valve 54 and permitting a flow of gas to the upper side of the gas valve diaphragm.

In order that the gas valve o'l-may he closed with certainty at any time when the valve 39': opened so that there be no substantial escape of gas to the atmosphere at such time, the pipe 13 is provided (Figs. 1 and 3), which pipe leads to the casing 14% surrounding the expansible thermostat tube 37 and opening at itsinner end into the tank,

as illustrated in the small sketch above the right-hand side of Fig. 3. As a result oi this arrangement any outflow of water from the heater causes an inflow of cold water through the pipe 13 and the casing 1i along the expansiolc member 37 so that such memher is instantly cooled upon the opening of the outlet from the heater and the valve 53 is promptly closed if it should happen to be open at the time the outlet from the heater is opened.

With the foregoing description of the gas valve. water motor, and thermostatic means, the operation of the device will. be clear from the following description by ref crcuce to Fig. 1, which shows all of the parts referred to Assumingthat the heater has been standing for a considerable period and that the water is cold. the parts will occupy the position of l, with the valves 34 and 57 closed. At this time there is gas main pressure in the pipes 21 and 29 and the chamber above the gas valve dish phragm holding it in closed position, such pressure having been supplied during a pre vious operation, when the Water reached the required degree of hotness and the thermostatic means opened the alve 57, placing the pipes 19 nd 21 in communication. If new the outlet from the heater is opened the pressure on the front side of the piston 25 is released and such piston moves to the left causing the opening of the release valve 34. This opening of the release valve permits an escape of pressure from the pipe 20 and the chamber above the diaphragm 22 of the valve. The greater pressure on the lower side of the diaphragm therefore, causes it to move away from its scatand permits a flow of gas from the'main 8 to the burner ring 8. This flow of gas continues as long as the outlet from the heater is open, since there is a fiOW of cold Water during such period through the pipe 13 and along the thermostat, so that the valve 57 is kept closed. When the outlet from the heater is closed, the piston 25, under the influence oi the spring :29 moves back to the position. shbivn in Fig. l permitting the valve 34: to close When the temperature of the water in the heater rises above the point for which the-thermostat is set, the expansion of the thermostat tube causes the opening of the valve iiZso that pressure is supplied via the pipe 19, casing 15 and pipes 21 and :20 to the upper side of the valve diaphragm 22, and this diaphragm moves down engag ins its seat and cutting off the flow of gas to the burner ring 6.

it will be seen from the foregoing that the water valve operates to cause the opening of the valve but notits closing, anti that the thermostatic mechanism operates to cause the closing of the gas valve but not its opening, so that during a long period of non-use of water there is no turning on and oil of the gas such as is the case with the ordinal; storage system equipped with a thermostatic control. it will also be seen that the mere opening of a faucet in the outlet will. open the gas valve and that after such opening of the valve it becomes unnecessary to lteep the faucet open since the will not be shut oil until th Water rises above a predetermined tempsrat i govgrncd by the thermostat, the construction thus diil'cring from the ordinary instauta-- ncous heater having dual control wherein it is necessary to keep the faucet open until (ho water reaches the predetermined tomperature This latter operation involves a considerable waste of Water, particularly Where the gassupplvis inadequate as in very cold weather. at which time it may be either pri ticallv impossible to secure water of tli desired temperature or in. case such temperaturc'is secured may involve a long period oi: runningthe waler before the desired ter pcraturc is reached. This diiiieulty is ed with the present apparatus in which there is no waste of heat durinpgthe period in which The water being brought to the desired temperature.

The embodiment of the invention shown and described is of course n'ierelv illustrative of the broad invention which is not restrict ed to the specific mechanism. Any water motor might be employed which would act to open the relief valve upon changes of pressure induced by opening the outlet from the heater. Many different forms of thermostatic mechanism or valves might also be employed other than the ones shown. The invention broadly considered comprehends a wide variety of specific combinations for achieving the desired result, namely, the turning on of the gas to the heater when the outlet from the heater is opened, but Without turning off of the gas when the outletis closed, and the turning off of the gas by the thermostat when the Water is heated to the proper temperature but without such thermostat acting to turn on the gas again when the water cools. The invention may also be applied Where a plurality of heaters are employed with a comtherefor, cut-off means normally closing off the gas in the conduit, a hot water passage leading from the Water heating means to the faucet and provided with Water valvular means associated with the cut-off means whereby the opening of the outlet faucet permits a flow of gas to the burner regardless of the closing of the faucet, and a thermostatic means governed by the water of the heater and constructed and arranged to control the turning cit of the gas by said cutoff means, but not the turning on thereof.

2. In combination in a water heatcr of gas heating means, and thermostatic controlling means and water motor controlling means for said gas heating means constructed and arranged so that the water motor controlling means causes the turning on of the gas when an outlet faucet is opened but not the'cutting'ofl' thereof when the faucet is closed, and so that the thermostatic controlling means causes the cutting off of the gas when the temperature of the water riscs above a predetermined point, but not the turning on of such gas when the water cools.

' 3. In combination in a watcr hcatcr, a container for water to be heated. a gas burner, a gas conduit loading thereto. pressure operatcd moans actuated by opening of the outlet from the healer. and tcnlpcrnturc governed means actuated by the water in the heater when the temperature thcrcoi riscs above a predetermined point. the said pressure operated means being effective to open the (01% duit and )crmit a How of gas to the burners but not cl'lcct'ivc to close the conduit, and the temperature governed means being cli'cctivc to close the conduit but not to open it.

4. In combination in a water heater. :1 container for \vutcr to be headed. a gas burner, a gas conduit, cut-oil means in the conduit, a motor governed by opening the outlet from esa-are the heater, a thermostatic means governedby the water of the heater, and means whereby the opening of the outlet from the heater and the operation of the motor causes the opening of the cut-oil means permitting a flow of gas to the burner regardless of the subsequent closing of the heater outlet and whereby the thermostatic means causes the closure of the cutoff means after the outlet from the heater 'lS closed when the water is above a predetermined"temperature.

5. In combination in a water heater, a container for water to be heated, a gas burner, a gas conduit leading thereto, a motor operating by the opening of the outlet from the o heater to cause the opening of the C-OIlCllli'n and permit a fiow of gas to the burner, but leaving the conduit open after the outlet is closed, and thermostatic means governed by the Water of the heater and operating to cause a. closure of the conduit when the temperature of the Water reach-es a predetermined point, but after such closure leaving the conduit closed until it is caused to open by the operation of the said motor.

6. In combination in a water heater, a container for Water to be heated, a burner, a gas conduit leading thereto, a motor and cooperating means adapted to cause the opening of the conduit when the outlet from the heater is opened but not the closingof such conduit when the outlet is closed, and a thermostatic means and cooperating means adapted to cause the closure of the conduit when the temperature of the water rises above a predetermined point, but not the opening of such conduit when the Water drops below such temperature.

7. In combination in a Water heater, a container for water to be heated. a gas burner, a gas conduit loading thereto, a gas valve in the, conduit. a water motor operfiated by changes of pressure incident to opening and closing the outlet from the heater, thermostatic means governed by the temperature of the heater water, and means cooperating between the motor. thermostatic means and the gas valve whereby the opening of the outlet from the heater causes the actuation'of the motor and the opening of the gas valve after which the motor is inefiective to close the gas valve, and whereby the actuation of the thermostatic means after the Water reaches a predetermined temperature causes the closing of the gas valve, after which the thermostatic means is ineffective to open the gas valve.

8. In combination in a water heater. a container for Water to be heated, a burner, a gas conduit leading thereto, a gas valve in the conduit. a' pressure clmnibcrto which fluid pressure may be applied to close the gas valve. a passage "for conducting pressure from the conduit to said chamber, a controlling valve in the passage,

a thermostatic inc-ans governed by the heater water and adapted to open said controlling valve when the temperature of the Water rises above a predetermined point, a release outlet whereby the pressure in the said pressure chamber may be released, and a Water motor operated by the opening of the outlet from the heater for opening the said release outlet.

9. In combination in a Water heater, a container for water to be heated having a cold Water inlet and a hot Water outlet, at gas burner, 21 gas conduit leading thereto, a gas valve in the conduit, a pressure chamber to which. fluid pressure may be applied to close the gas valve, a passage for conducting pressure from said conduit to said chamber, a controlling valve in the, passage, a thermostatic means governed by the heater Water.

arranged to open said controlling valve when the ten'iperature of the Water rises above a predetermined point, one of the parts of the thermostat being arranged so that a part at least of the infiowing water from the cold Water inlet flows over it, a release outlet whereby the pressure in said chamber may be released, and a Water motor operated by the opening of the hot Water outlet from the heater for opening the said release outlet.

10, In combination in a Water heater, container for Water to be heated having cold Water inlet and a hot Water outlet, gas burner, a gas conduit leading thereto, a gas valve in the conduit, a pressure chamher to which fluid pressure may be applied to close the gas valve, a passage for conducting pressure from said conduit to said chamber, a controlling valve in the passage, a thermostatic means having an expansi'ole member located in the said water container, a casing fitting around said memher and opening into the container, connec tions whereby the thermostatic means opens the controlling valve when the temperature of the Water rises above a predetermined point, means whereby a portion at least of the infiowingwater from the cold Water in let is directed into the said casing around the thermostat member, a release outlet whereby the pressure in said chamber may be released, and a Water motor operated by the opening of the hot Water outlet from the heater for opening the said release outlet.

11. In combination in a Water heater, a container for Water to be'heated, a gas burner, a gas conduit leading-thereto, a gas valve in the conduit, a water motor operated by changes of pressure incident to opening and closing the outlet from the heater, thermostatic means governed by the temperature of the heater water, and means cooperating between the motor, thermostatic means and the gas valve whereby the opening of the outlet from the heater causes the actuation of the motor and the opening oi the gas valve after Which the closing of the heater outlet leaves tbe'gas valve open, and whereby the actuation of the thermostatic means after the Water reaches a pre determined temperature causes the closing of the gas valve after which {my lowering of the temperature of the Water still leaves the gas valve shut, which position is maintained until the outlet from the heater is opened.

12. In combination in a Water heater, :1

container for Water to be heated, a gas burner, a gas conduit leading thereto, a gas valve in the conduit, a Water motor operated by changes of pressure incident to opening and closing the outlet from the heater, thermostatic means governed by the temperature of the heater Water, and means cooperating between the motor, thermostatic means and the gas valve whereby the Water motor is effective to open the gas valve but. not to close it and whereby the thermo static means is effective to close the valve but, not to open it, the gas valve re maining closed until it is again opened by the water meter when the outlet from the heater is opened.

CHARLES A. BACKSTROM. 

